$90 million Scone bypass and rail bridge plans progressing

Planning is progressing for the construction of the New England Highway bypass and a town centre road-over-rail bridge at Scone.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the project was being jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, with each providing $45 million.

“The project involves building a bypass of Scone and a town centre road-over-rail bridge to improve safety and traffic flow as road and rail volumes through the area increase,” Mr Truss said.

“The New England Highway is an important route for freight vehicles between Sydney and Brisbane and this project will improve freight productivity and safety on the highway and resolve problems caused by the closure of level crossings during rail movements.”

New South Wales Minister for Roads Duncan Gay said planning was progressing well with the bypass concept design, review of environmental factors (REF) and strategic design options for the town centre road-over-rail bridge being prepared for community display later this year.

“The project is expected to improve safety on local streets with freight and long distance traffic to bypass Scone,” Mr Gay said.

“The proposal includes a two-lane highway bypass to the west of Scone, through the golf course, with bridges over the rail line south of town and at Kingdon Street and Liverpool Street.”

New South Wales Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen said access to and from the bypass would be provided to the north and south of town and midway at St Aubins Street.

“The town centre road-over-rail bridge is expected to benefit local traffic and emergency services by improving traffic flows through Scone,” Mr Johnsen said.

“The New England Highway bypass project is expected to start in mid-2016 and be completed by mid-2019.”